In the past a patio was just a patio; a concrete slab at the rear entrance of your home with just enough space to put a patio table and maybe a small BBQ grill. The terms “Outdoor Living Space” or “Outdoor Rooms” weren’t even heard of and the only people that had these types of outdoor spaces were the rich and famous. Today, with the demand for homeowners wanting to spend more time outdoors these terms have become more a part of daily life. This demand has not only forced landscape contractors to be more creative with their designs, but has created an industry within itself. All of your big box stores are catering to this industry with patio furniture, stainless steel grills, pre-built grill stations, portable fire pits and it is not unusual to see contractors who specialize or only design and install patios.

 Due to the increasing popularity of brick paving stone or “pavers”, homeowners are no longer satisfied with the standard rectangle concrete slab. Pavers allow patio designers to be much more creative in implementing you patio ideas. They can utilize radial and circular designs, different patterns, borders and colors. Also, the introduction of patio block has changed the way patios are designed and used. Each manufacturer has a different name for them, but in a “nut shell” they are stackable blocks that can be used to create seating walls, columns, grill stations, outdoor bars and kitchens. If you can imagine it, you can build it with these blocks.

 If you’re looking for a nice patio; one that you can not only show off, but also one you can use; there are several guidelines to follow to improve your chances of success. There are three questions that you should ask yourself. If you answer these questions honestly you will be able to create a patio design that is not only functional, but also beautiful.

 ”What is my budget?” Some homeowners feel that this is a loaded question, but it is one that a good contractor will ask and one that needs to be addressed. It should be asked, not to prequalify you as a potential customer or to run the price up, but to bring the project into perspective. As a homeowner, you should not be afraid to tell your contractor your budget. A good contractor’s price is his price and he will design to your budget.

 ”How will I use my patio?” Other than budget this is the most important question to ask yourself. If you plan on entertaining, you may consider seating walls around portions of your patio for overflow seating or an outdoor bar. If you have children you may want to invest in a fire pit area, either a portable or built-in. These are great to spend quality time with your children. Do you like to grill out? Perhaps adding a BBQ grill station or outdoor kitchen might be a nice addition. However you choose to use your patio, you need to convey these uses to your designer so they can incorporate them into the patio design. Make sure your designer draws your patio design to an identifiable scale. Have them draw in your patio furniture and accessories so you can get an idea if, and how, they will fit on your patio. These questions will help you decide what size of patio you need to install. Remember, bigger doesn’t mean more functional. Also, keep in mind, if your wants exceed your budget, using brick or concrete patio pavers will allow you to seamlessly add on later.

 ”What do I want my patio to look like?” This is another important piece of the puzzle and one that you should also spend time with. A good patio designer will integrate your uses into a pleasing design. One that will accentuate certain features of your home while expanding your personality to the outside. The most difficult part of a patio design idea is the marriage between functionality and aesthetics. Brick and concrete patio pavers give you a lot of design flexibility. Radial designs typically will soften corners and create interesting curves. Square and rectangle patio designs, whether parallel with the house or on a 45 degree angle, are used to accentuate dimensional features of a home. Using different colors and/or styles of pavers in different areas will help define space on your patio. For example, a circle pattern may define a fire pit area.

 ”Do your homework!” The more time you invest at the front end of your patio project, the easier and more enjoyable the installation will be. Spending a few hundred dollars on a formal design may end up saving you several thousand dollars and aggravation. There are also websites with large libraries of pre-designed patios that you can browse and purchase for a fraction of the cost of a custom design. They typically provide you with additional information such as; material list, color palettes and product details, helpful installation tips and how to’s.

Remember, do your homework and enjoy your patio design!  

Owning a great pool reflects a person’s true personality and style. Swimming pools often reflect the mindset of owner. Today’s pools are built with more eye-catching materials to provide greater satisfaction to the whole family for many years to come.



Basically, there are three main factors, which need to be taken care of while adding a pool to a home. These factors are: Design and Features, Location and Cost.





A home owner, who wants to install the best quality pool or spa, usually has a lot of questions and confusions regarding pools in their mind. In this article, we’ll talk about such common questions that may come across in a pool buyer’s mind.





Myriad Swimming Pool Designs



Look to hire a swimming pool designer to come up with a plan for your project.  Experienced pool designers know how to take into account the topography, size of the site, scale, balance and proportions as to the pool design.  Pools can be either formal or informal, depending on the type of look you are attempting and on the look/feel of the proposed site.  In addition to locating the pool, an experienced pool designer will be able to recommend a design for the interior configuration (depths, benches, swimouts, stairs, loveseats, thermal ledges, etc.)  If your pool designer is also a builder, discussing with the pool builder will make it easy for the owner to choose the best Swimming pool design. It is always advisable to look for the features option for the pool construction so that one can consider everything offered!



Look for the Features





It is quite true that pools and spas come in a variety of designs, shapes and sizes, and a person has so many optional features. One can discuss the priorities with the builder who can guide on selecting most important and useful feature to be installed in the pool within the suggested budget. The pool owner can get following features installed as per the budget: water treatments, fiber-optic lighting, decking, gazebos, landscaping, fencing and more.

Location is Key





Try to find the most interesting place to install the pool. One can take the help of an experienced swimming pool builder and discuss with the family members to decide the most applicable location inside the home.





After checking on the above mentioned factors, a person would be able to get the best swimming pool.









Different Cost Estimates





While constructing a tailored pool, a home owner must consider few factors regarding money. Cost varies from pool requirements, size, shapes, and its installation cost. Therefore, it is always useful to talk to the pool builder or retailer about this. Here, are some useful tips that might help a person to talk about the right situations:





1.       Discuss Quality of materials. It also includes professional & experienced craftsmanship.



2.       Talk about the Design



3.       Time needed for Construction and Installation



4.       Sturdiness of the Pool 



5.       Ongoing Customer Service







And always remember, you get what you pay for!